Chicago Cubs pitcher, defense win big honors

More News: Chicago Cubs are going young, like it or not

Following the All-Star break, the rookie earned distinction as, arguably, the best pitcher in all of baseball with a 1.04 ERA over 12 starts. From July 9 to August 13, his 28.1 scoreless innings streak affirmed his excellence.

Overall, he went 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA in 23 appearances (22 starts).

To acknowledge his outstanding season, The Sporting News has named him 2025 Rookie of the Year.

A late season fractured rib took robbed Horton of the ability to pitch in the postseason, but his impact is widely acknowledged among teammates and coaches.

“It’s no surprise when he takes the ball for us and he’s able to do what he does,” Cubs catcher Reese McGuire told reporters. “His confidence, with how young he is and being in this league, getting the experience, he’s impressing a lot of people here.”

“There’s just an attack mentality with quality pitches,” manager Craig Counsell also said. “It’s fun to watch, man. It’s been a really, really impressive start to a Major League career. He’s doing a heck of a job.”

And while Horton was winning his awards, the team as a whole got one of its own.

Chicago Cubs win “Defensive Team of the Year” award

The SIS Fielding Bible awarded the Cubs their inaugural Defensive Team of the Year award.

Per The Fielding Bible:

“The Chicago Cubs are our inaugural Defensive Team of the Year winner. They ranked second in the majors and led all NL teams in Defensive Runs Saved.

The Cubs were the only team to have a positive Runs Saved total from eight of the nine defensive positions (all but right field).

They had the MLB leader in Runs Saved at second base (Nico Hoerner, who won the Fielding Bible Award) and the runner-up in center field (Pete Crow-Armstrong). They also had the No. 3 left fielder (Ian Happ), and the No. 3 pitcher (Matthew Boyd), as well as the No. 4 third baseman (Matt Shaw).”

As mentioned above, Nico Hoerner would take the second base fielding honors as an individual. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, Matthew Boyd, and Matt Shaw would also place highly as runners up.

A focus on evergreen assets

This particular honor speaks highly of the way this team has been constructed by Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer.

An emphasis had been placed on evergreen team assets that could help the team win even when the offense and/or pitching aren’t necessarily firing on all cylinders. Defense, base running, fundamentals, chemistry, and work ethic have all been focal points when assembling this team.

In that regard, the efforts have definitely paid off.

On any given day, the Cubs could’ve started at least seven or right Gold Glove-caliber players on the field– something which helps the pitching staff immensely and eases the burden from the bats.

The focus will be the same in 2026, as Chicago may need to cook up a solid plan B should right fielder Kyle Tucker be lured away in free agency.

Overall, though, things look steady when it comes to defense, as well as Cade Horton’s mound future.